Central Market (Houston) Food Demo Tasting Specialist - Full time

About the Role

Provides service to customers by demonstrating and selling products through educating customers on product uses and location. Works under direct supervision performing assigned demo tasks following established Food Safety and Standard Operating Procedures. Applies basic knowledge, skills, techniques, and tools to perform assigned tasks. Requires moderately specialized subject matter knowledge and excellent proactive customer service and communication skills for customer engagement.

Responsibilities

• Assist customers anywhere in the store with moderate to broad food knowledge.
• Promote sales through ingredient, food preparation, recipe, and product knowledge.
• Set up and manage demo or sample stations anywhere in the store, selling specific products following provided guidelines.
• Procure product and track usage for assigned demo stations.
• Track and record ROI of manned stations.
• Use down-time to face shelves and maintain department cleanliness.
• Help maintain sampling stations.
• Provide superior, proactive customer service using suggestive selling techniques to maximize sales.
• Educate customers on recipe suggestions, preparation methods, and cooking techniques for demo products.
• Assist customers with physical needs and answer questions about products, explaining merits to influence purchases.
• Demonstrate curiosity for food and explore current food trends through books, magazines, articles, cooking classes, and other avenues.
• Exhibit varied interest and knowledge in cooking, including ingredients and preparation methods.
• Maintain food safety standards and sanitation in the department.

Requirements

• 1-3 years of related experience in selling and/or customer service.
• Basic food knowledge and experience (required).
• Knowledge of pairings and flavor profiles, or willingness to learn (required).
• Interest, knowledge, and ability in food preparation and cooking methods (required).
• Successfully complete the Foodie knowledge review annually (required).
• Ability to calculate figures such as weights, discounts, percentages, and volume (required).
• Food safety certification (preferred).
• Attend a minimum of 70% of all available on-site Vendor Training classes (required).

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Exposed to moving mechanical parts, small confined spaces, cleaning chemicals, and airborne particles.
• Moderate noise level in the work environment.
• Lift moderately heavy loads up to 50 lbs. individually, with potential for heavier loads when team-lifting.
• Ability to bend, reach, kneel, twist, and squat.
• Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time.
• Ability to push/pull heavy loads of 75 lbs.
• Frequent exposure to small, confined areas and cleaning chemicals.
• Fast-paced environment requiring long periods of standing, walking, and moderate repetitive hand motions.